Authors

Robert Repetto

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2001

Volume

Working Paper 1

Abstract

The Atlantic sea scallop fisheries in the U.S. and Canadian offshore waters provide a natural experiment in fisheries management regimes. Starting in 1986, in side by side areas of George’s Bank, Canada adopted a rights-based approach while the U.S. continued with effort controls. Analysis of their experiences shows that the resource has been better maintained in Canada with lower fishing effort, that the Canadian fishing industry has become more prosperous and innovative relative to that in the U.S., and that the Canadian co-management regime is more cooperative. These results suggest that systematic evaluation of actual experience with rights-based fishery management regimes is needed as the basis for policymaking.

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